Rosicky and Mertesacker sign new deals

Tomas Rosicky says he is driven by the desire to end Arsenal's title drought after he and Per Mertesacker signed new contracts with the club.

The length of their new deals have not been announced but reports suggest the midfielder, 33, has a one-year rolling agreement while Mertesacker has committed to the club until 2017.

"Ever since I arrived at Arsenal, I have always felt that I'm at the right place where I want to be," Rosicky, who signed for the club in 2006, two years after their last league title, said. "I still feel this way now and I'm proud that after such a long time I'm still here.

"One big factor is that I want to win the league with Arsenal. It's my big goal and I will do everything that I can to achieve it. Arsenal is a great club, we have a great spirit here and we are all working together to do the best we can."

Manager Arsene Wenger insists the two new deals will further improve the spirit among his title-chasing Arsenal team.

There could also be another new-contract fillip soon, with Santi Cazorla reportedly close to agreeing a new deal.

Wenger said: "We are delighted that Mertesacker and Rosicky have committed their futures to the club. They are players of exceptional quality and experience and have consistently proven themselves at the highest level.

"There is a great feeling of togetherness and belief in the group and this news will only help to strengthen this further."

Doubts had been cast about the future of Mertesacker, 29, but the German, who joined from Werder Bremen in 2011, claims he is a "real Gunner".

"It was easy for me to commit myself to the club," he told the official Arsenal website. "I have been here for two-and-a-half great years and feel I have great support from everyone at the club and the fans.

"I'm really looking forward to having more years coming up with this fantastic club. On my first visit to England as a boy I bought an Arsenal jersey as a souvenir and was so proud wearing it when playing football with my friends.

"Many years later, I have become a real Gunner, being even more proud to wear the Arsenal jersey."

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